CJ525

Week 1 DQ

Hello everyone!  Before you write your initial post and replies to classmates, please review the instructions and discussion rubric carefully. Aim to make your substantive initial post by Saturday at the latest, and post at least three times over the week.   The initial post should be at least 200 words.

Please aim to incorporate credible outside sources — these should be cited in APA format.

 

Applied Research, Research Purposes, Variables, and Attributes

Part I: Review the common errors of personal inquiry discussed in this week’s readings. Describe an example of one of these errors and explain how scientific inquiry can overcome the error. Integrate a discussion of the readings to explain how applied research differs from traditional research.

Part II: Building upon your discussion in Part I about scientific inquiry and applied research, propose two issues to be examined through an applied research study. Note: Review what others have already posted to the Discussion Board and propose original issues that have not already been posted by another student.

Explain the following for each of your proposed studies:

· Describe the issue and identify where (specific agency, organization, group, community, and where it is located) it has risen to the level of a major problem in need of applied research; include a citation and reference documenting the problem in the selected location.

· Explain the primary research purpose of the proposed study (e.g., exploration, description, explanation, evaluation, and/or application, as discussed in the readings) and how the research serves this purpose. Identify the attributes of the primary independent variable and the attributes of the dependent variable for each proposed study.

Cite and reference your sources.

Respond to the students below:

Student #1: Megan

Megan Tschirhart-Bell

 

Personal preferences and preconceived notions can often skew research and can influence a bias that may not be intentional, this is often the case in selective observation. Selective observation is when a researcher mistakenly allows preconceived ideas to lead them astray. As research is conducted if the researcher begins to see data trends that are more favorable and aligned to their predetermined conclusions then they are likely to follow that data trail, neglecting other possible variables that can influence the research. Often perceptions such as ethics, race, and other prejudices can be causal factors that significantly influence a researcher’s observation (Maxfield & Babbie, 2018). If a researcher utilizes effective scientific inquiry to include all data, as is, with minimal bias influences, then the likelihood of reducing selective observation is increased. Applied research focuses on looking into a specific topic whereas traditional seeks to gather and expand knowledge (Maxfield & Babbie, 2018).

Two proposed topics focusing on emergency management that could be suggested would be those that focus on preparedness and procedures. Examining community preparedness efforts concerning mass casualty events in schools would be one suggested applied research topic. As identified by Schlegelmich et al., there is an increased likelihood that terrorist groups could exploit vulnerabilities within US school systems to gain media attention (2017). The primary purpose of this research would be to identify threats and vulnerabilities of U.S. school systems and to increase protective preparedness measures across the nation. In this research, the independent variable would be the level of preparedness of the school systems, while the dependent variable would be the overall severity or impact the mass casualty has on the tested school.

The other research proposal would be focusing on procedures in integrating multiple agencies in the event of a mass casualty situation. As Beaton and Severson indicate, effective management requires the efforts of the whole community to include those not on the frontlines such as municipal support that is often overlooked in the planning phases (2020). The purpose of this research is to highlight the importance of involving the whole community in planning to better serve and address the needs of the community following a mass casualty situation. In this research the independent variable would be the various agencies being integrated to respond and the dependent variable would be the speed at which the unified command was able to provide the necessary resources to the affected community.

Reference

Beaton, T., & Severson, K. (2020). A whole city approach to mass casualty planning. Journal of Business Continuity & Emergency Planning, 14(2), 122-135.

Maxfield, M. G., & Babbie, E. R. (2018). Research methods for criminal justice and criminology. Cengage Learning.

Schlegelmilch, J., Petkova, E., Martinez, S., & Redlener, I. (2017). Acts of terrorism and mass violence targeting schools: Analysis and implications for preparedness in the USA. Journal of Business Continuity

 

Student #2:

Samer Silva

Common errors of personal inquiry range from inaccurate observation, overgeneralization, selective observation, and illogical reasoning. Inaccurate observation, in our text, states that as a whole we are sloppy observers and do not take much into account regarding details because we can not understand how things are without having something to understand (Maxfield & Babbie, 2018 p. 10). An example of inaccurate observation is showing up to a crime scene and not taking note of where items are found and just collecting them which causes problems later on in a case. Using scientific inquiry however, the individual on scene can take photos of the crime scene items and log them, so if they are asked later where the item was found then an accurate description will be available. When it comes to applied research, there is a need for specific findings that either evaluate effects with social science methods or use an analysis of policies (Maxfield & Babbie, 2018 p. 13). This differs from traditional research as traditional research is usually generalized truths that focus on present or past events while applied research can try to anticipate future consequences of alternative actions meaning that there is more focus on applied research in some aspects (Maxfield & Babbie, 2018 p. 14).

Two issues that can be examined through applied research study is body camera budgets and a nationwide police shortage. The body camera budget is occurring in Park County Sherriff’s department in Colorado where an extra $500,000 is needed to mandate body cameras which the sheriff’s department does not have the funding for (Low & Scott, 2021). The sheriff’s department would have to cut employees to afford the body cameras and they are already short on staff (Low & Scott, 2021). By conducting exploratory research we can research the policy change regarding the body cameras and if there are alternative methods or ways around this budget issue that other counties or states have implemented. The independent variable is what changes, which would be the policy alternatives and ways around the budget issue, and the dependent variable is the budget costs and seeing how it is affected by the alternatives. The second issue is in regards to a police shortage in Polk County Florida Sherriff’s department. This article highlights how applications are submitted by the thousands, but only about 10% of applicants are hired due to anomalies such as convicts needing to apply to jobs to stay on unemployment and/or individuals not being qualified to get the position in the first place (Lee, 2021). Using explanatory research, we can conduct why this is occurring in Polk County, figuring out what demographics are in the community and why subjects who are qualified are not applying for the positions in question. The independent variable in this situation is the findings of why qualified individuals are not applying and figuring out how Polk County Sherriff can encourage them to do so, and the dependent variable is the number of qualified applicants applying for the job.

References:

Maxfield, M. G., & Babbie, E. R. (2018). Research methods for criminal justice and criminology. Boston, MA: Cengage Learning.

Low, R., & Scott, C. (2021, September 16). Park County Sheriff can’t afford state-mandated body worn cameras. Retrieved September 23, 2021, from https://kdvr.com/news/local/park-county-sheriff-cant-afford-state-mandated-body-worn-cameras/

Lee, R. (2021, September 18). Officials say there’s a nationwide police shortage and it’s affecting Polk County as well. Retrieved September 23, 2021, from https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/officials-say-theres-a-nationwide-police-shortage-and-its-affecting-polk-county-as-well/ar-AAOzSzD?ocid=BingNewsSearch

 

Student #3:

Jeffery Bailey posted Sep 24, 2021 12:45 AM

 

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Hello classmates/Prof

When it comes to personal inquires there is a propensity to make several mistakes in the investigation of a subject. Aside from the potential dangers of relying on tradition and authority, we often stumble when we set out to learn for ourselves. (Maxfield, MG & Babbie, E.R, 2018). One of the most common errors is inaccurate observation, we tend to often times see things in a way that they really are not. This is the reason eyewitnesses can be so unreliable. Secondly over generalizing is another common error that is made during personal inquiry and researchers can also make especially when pushed to come up with a general understanding, they can tend to over generalize. Another common error is illogical reasoning, we often try to brush away contradiction to our logic with illogical reasoning. Statically gamblers call this “gamblers fallacy” (Maxfield, MG & Babbie, E.R, 2018). Example of this is, just because it has been sunny all week does not mean that it will rain on the weekend. Finally another error that can be made against social science and that of our day-to-day inquiry is that social science is a conscious activity and often we observe things with a subconscious mind. Such as going through our day and observing or seeing activities without really focusing on what we see (Maxfield, MG & Babbie, E.R, 2018).

Applied Research vs Traditional Research

In using applied research a topic a subject or theory is approached from a scientific approach facts and findings are put through scientific evaluation which will result in much more credible results (Maxfield, MG & Babbie, E.R, 2018). Traditional research is a way of knowing that all of society is guided by an accumulated knowledge of what is, and those things are to be done. Such information and knowledge are often established through a process of trial and error. (Maxfield, MG & Babbie, E.R, 2018). In broad terms research is generally concerned with the study of relationships among variables. How research is conducted depends on the type of methodology section of your proposal if it is to be quantitative (numerical findings) or qualitative (descriptive information). (Maxfield, MG & Babbie, E.R, 2018). There can be many reasons a research can fail two of which, failing to meet one or more basic threshold criteria, and secondly there is simply to much research already done on the given subject therefor the proposal is rejected.

Two issues that can be examined through applied research is the topic of COVID-19 vaccines. The applied research can validate the budget and money spent on such a vaccine versus the hypothesis of reached efficacy of a produced vaccine. While this topic can be wildly speculated by the general public and opinions vary about the money spent to produce a vaccine that many feel is not safe or ask the question, does the rate of efficacy justify the money spent. Applied research will bring answers to the questions that this topic proposes such as the study and research conducted by the National Institute of Health. During the inception and wide-spread of Covid-19 applied research was immediately began to justify the budget that would be spent of the research (Hagens, 2021) that will either prove or disprove the money that will be spent of manufacturing this vaccine is financially worth it. Another use of applied research would be to prove the efficacy of this vaccine, while it is one thing to provide research to justify money spent on a vaccine there is also, research to prove it’s efficacy. In a study of research conducted by several prominent scientist (Gao, Ya,Kelu, Yang, Ming Liu, 2020). The research and the study aimed to analyze the effectiveness of a vaccine to protect against this contagious infectious disease. There are many who will argue that the vaccine does not work, and the money spent to produce, and distribute a study is unjustified. In all cases applied research is the tool used to prove a hypothesis either positively or negatively.

Gao, Ya,Kelu, Yang, Ming Liu. (2020). Research Collaboration and Outcome Measures of Interventional Clinical Trial Protocols for COVID-19 in China. National Center for Biotechnology Information, pg1.

Hagens, A. (2021). COVID-19 Vaccination Scenarios: A Cost-Effectiveness Analysis for Turkey. US National Library of Midicine, pg1.

Maxfield, MG & Babbie, E.R. (2018). Research methods for criminal justice and criminology. Boston MA.: Cengage Learning.

 

READING:

The readings in this course were selected to provide you with the information needed to effectively participate in the Seminars and Discussion Boards, as well as to complete the course assignments. This week’s readings will introduce you to applied research, research purposes, and the language of research. You will also begin to learn about the component parts of research design and steps in the applied research process. Supplemental materials provide additional resources for identifying a problem within the criminal justice, homeland security, or emergency management fields, as well as additional guidance about research terminology.

Read the following from the Maxfield and Babbie (2018) textbook:

· Chapter 1: “Crime, Criminal Justice, and Scientific Inquiry,” pp. 1–29

· Chapter 2: “Theory and Criminal Justice Research,” pp. 30–37

· Chapter 4: “General Issues in Research Design,” pp. 108–111

Read the following from the Denscombe (2019) book:

· Chapter 1 sections:

· “What is a Research Proposal?”

· “Aims of a Research Proposal”

· “Seven Key Questions”

· Appendix 4: “Choosing a Research Topic”

Read  Introduction to Research .

Read the following applied research study,  “Social Media and Crisis Communications: A Survey of Local Governments in Florida,”  as part of the Unit 1 Essay Assignment.

Supplemental Materials

Read the  Foundations  section of the Research Methods Knowledge Base, an easy-to-understand web-based textbook on social science research methods. Here you will find additional discussion of topics reviewed in Unit 1:

· Language of Research

· Variables

· Hypotheses

Read the following from the Ayiro (2012) digital book in the Library:

· Chapter 1:  “Research: Meaning, Types, and Language”

Review Purdue Global Writing Center resources:  Graduate Research and Research Writing

Review the following topic selection resources:

· Fire and Emergency Services Research Topics

· Getting Started With Your Fire and Emergency Services Research Project

· Hot Topics in Homeland Security

· Topics: Research, Statistics, & Evaluation

 

Initial post meets all of the following: ● Responds to all parts of the topic(s) in complete sentences. ● Post includes original thoughts or ideas. ● Post includes support from multiple academic outside sources and/or course materials. ● Post is substantive and includes evidence of reflection and ideas related to the topic.

Additional responses and follow-up questions meet all of the following: ● Are posted in response to multiple classmates or the instructor. ● Responses to others ask follow-up questions or provide additional ideas that expand on the topic. ● Posts responses over multiple days throughout the unit week.

All of the following are true: ● Posts are clearly written in Standard English. ● Posts are free of spelling, grammar, or punctuation errors.

All of the following are true: ● Initial post makes at least one reference to the unit material, text, or other academic source. ● Formats correctly using APA style, both in-text and complete reference at the end of the post.

Throughout this course, we have explored topics in forensic science with special emphasis on approaching, securing, and managing a crime scene; documenting, collecting, and processing evidence; maintaining chain of custody; and presenting evidence at trial. We have also looked at collection and analysis of fingerprints, ballistics evidence, blood, trace evidence, tool marks, and impressions of tires and footprints. This process is critical to locating, securing, and analyzing physical evidence that will help solve crimes and to the admission of that evidence in court in order to secure a conviction.
The final assignment for this course is an analysis of the Crime Scene Scenario from Week One. You will analyze the crime scene and provide a detailed, step-by-step examination from initial discovery through admission of evidence at trial. Do this by including the following:

· Approach to the crime scene

· Documentation of evidence

· Collection of evidence

· Processing of evidence

· Maintenance of chain of custody

· Presentation at trial

The following elements must be addressed in your Crime Scene Scenario Analysis. Your analysis must address these elements for each potential piece of physical evidence you locate at the crime scene:

· Determine how the initial responders should approach the crime scene.

· Analyze how initial documentation of evidence should be carried out. This includes documenting both the overall crime scene and the location of various pieces of evidence within the scene. Issues of photographing, sketching, and video documentation of evidence should be addressed.

· Analyze how evidence should be collected, including specific methods for

o Potentially hazardous evidence.

o Impression evidence.

o Easily contaminated or compromised evidence.

· Explain how the evidence should be processed, including the basic scientific analysis to be performed on each piece of evidence and the laboratory equipment that will be utilized.

· Analyze each type of evidence found in the scenario in terms of its historical use in criminal cases.

· Assess how the chain of custody will be maintained.

· Evaluate how evidence will be presented at trial, including discussion of foundation and introduction of new tests and technology, if applicable.

Please re-read the information in this Crime Scene Scenario prior to launching the interactive multimedia below. Note: Upon completion of the crime scene fly-through, this multimedia provides additional controls to allow you to revisit and zoom-in on specific pieces of evidence. 

https://ashford.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/CRJ622%20Crime%20Scene%20Fly-through/0_b1c5h45v

The Crime Scene Scenario Analysis

· Must be 12 to 13 pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style.

· Must include a separate title page with the following:

· Must use at least eight credible sources in addition to the course text.

· Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style

· Must document all sources in APA style

The Scenario

The Beach City, California 911 dispatcher received a call at 7:15 A.M. on Monday morning. The call was from a Mr. Frank Flora. Mr. Flora was a gardener who had entered the grounds at 1234 Beach Front Road. Upon proceeding to the back of the home, Mr. Flora found a body on the patio. After checking for a pulse, and finding none, Mr. Flora called 911.

Officers Allen Able and Brenda Bates of the Beach City Police Department (BCPD) answered the call from the 911 dispatcher. Upon arrival they found Mr. Flora standing on Beach Front Road outside the security gate to the property. Mr. Flora, who had been given the security code to the gate by the property owner so that he could access the property to do the gardening, punched in the security code to let the officers in. Upon speaking to Mr. Flora, the officers ascertained that the property owner was a Mr. Mike Megabucks, a wealthy businessman and his wife Miranda. Mr. Flora stated that Mr. and Mrs. Megabucks did not appear to be at home. Mr. Flora further stated that this was not unusual as they traveled a great deal. The other resident of the home was Mr. Megabucks, stepson, Tom Threadbare, a less than successful artist. Mr. Threadbare also did not appear to be home.

The following is a representation of the layout the officers found:

The officers confirmed the victim was dead (there was an apparent gunshot wound in the victim’s chest) and searched the house and found no one else home. They then called for a supervisor. It was now 7:45 A.M. It had rained overnight between 3:15 A.M. and 5:15 A. M. The ground was damp. More rain was predicted for mid-morning.

The following items were noted in the home and on the grounds. They have been placed into a rough order of viewing:

1) scratches on the lock of the security gate 2) a tire tread mark in a used oil slick in the driveway 3) scratches on the door from the garage to the kitchen 4) a fingerprint in what appears to be green paint on the patio doorknob (on the interior knob) 5) a handgun at the bottom of the pool 6) a handgun in a bush on the grounds between the patio and the ocean 7) a blood y footprint, on the patio, leading away from the body toward the ocean 8) a muddy footprint, on the patio, leading toward the body from the ocean 9) a bloody butcher knife in the victim’s hand

Now, view the accompanying video: Fly-through of Crime Scene